Open your heart

“Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.” 2 Corinthians 7:2

This verse opens a window into Paul’s heart; the nature of spiritual leadership, the pain of strained relationships, the integrity required in ministry
and the proper spirit of correction.

Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church had become wounded. False teachers had influenced many believers against him. Some questioned:his motives, his apostleship, his consistency and authority. Paul had also written strong corrective letters that brought sorrow to the church. So by the time we reach chapter 7, Paul is not speaking theoretically. This is relationally costly ministry.

The first phrase is an emotional appeal “Open your hearts to us”. Paul basically saying to the brethren “Do not shut us out”, “Do not become hardened toward us”, “Let there be restored affection and trust”. Apostle Paul did not treat relationships casually. And he was not emotionally detached from the people he ministered to.

The bible knows how painful corrections could be. In Hebrews 12:11, the bible says:
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Biblical correction is often painful, uncomfortable and exposing. So when we say correction is not harm, we do not mean it feels pleasant. The scripture never says that. In fact, godly correction often wounds the pride, exposes hidden motives and confronts areas people would rather avoid.

However, harmful correction crushes without restoring but godly correction pains in order to heal. Hebrews 12:5–6 says: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

Paul’s appeal teaches something important: Christianity is not merely doctrinal agreement. It involves relational communion.The New Testament church was deeply relational:bearing one another’s burdens, confessing faults, loving fervently, maintaining unity, restoring fellowship. A guarded heart hinders spiritual growth. Hebrews warns repeatedly:“Do not harden your hearts.”Hardness is dangerous because it resists both God and people.

How do we take correction, do we take it with resentment or with open heart or do will shut out everybody when we are corrected. Paul corrected the Corinthians and wanted to mend the relationship. Do you seek to do same to those you have corrected.

One of the deepest pains in Christian relationships is not always open hostility, but inward withdrawal. A heart can close silently through: suspicion, offence, disappointment, pride, gossip, and misunderstanding. Outwardly people may still attend meetings, greet one another and maintain appearances, yet inwardly distance has formed. Paul sensed this distance. Earlier he said:“You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.” 2 Corinthians 6:12

Paul’s heart remained open toward them, but their hearts had narrowed toward him.This happens often in spiritual life. Sometimes people who once received correction gladly later become guarded because truth exposed something uncomfortable.

Offence and suspicion can quietly harden the heart. Believers must guard against becoming inwardly closed toward correction, fellowship, and toward trusted spiritual relationships. A closed heart eventually resists both truth and love.

When the heart continually resists truth, conviction and repentance, it becomes increasingly dangerous spiritually. A closed heart often begins subtly: offence left unresolved, pride protected, repeated resistance to truth, refusal to forgive, and persistent unbelief. Over time this can produce resentment, bitternessspiritual blindness, hostility toward truth, eventual hardness of conscience. Hebrews 3:13 warns:“Exhort one another daily… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Kay Alli